University Police created a new permanent Emergency Medical Response Group coordinator position in April in an attempt to strengthen and expand the EMeRG program, said Dolores Stafford, director of University Police.

A panel of staff and student EMeRG leaders selected Ryan Miller last month to serve as the new coordinator. Miller is a graduate student in GW’s Emergency Management Program, a fire fighter and a paramedic. He holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency health services management.

The creation of the position is part of EMeRG and UPD’s plan to get permission from D.C. to allow the medical group to operate an ambulance on campus, Stafford said.

“This (ambulance service) will take the EMeRG program to a different level, and we needed a staff member to provide the type of continual leadership that we couldn’t get with student leaders who graduate from GW and leave,” Stafford said.

EMeRG is a student organization with about 55 mostly undergraduate students who serve as first responders for medical emergencies on campus, at special events on campus and in the D.C. area. All students must have a minimum certification of Emergency Medical Technician.

The new part-time position will modify a system in which students served as the only leaders of the program.

“Students will still be operating in leadership roles,” Stafford said. “Now they will report to (the coordinator) instead of me.”

The coordinator will serve as the contact point for groups outside the GW community that regularly solicit EMeRG’s services for special events such as the World Bank protests and the presidential inauguration.